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(11/30/05 5:00pm)
In a season filled with perfection, the women's soccer team fell just one win short of a championship. A somersaulting freshman ended the College's quest for a national championship and undefeated season on Saturday.
The No. 2 ranked College lost to No. 1 Messiah College 1-0 in the NCAA Division III Championship at MacPherson Stadium at Bryan Park in Greensboro, N.C. The title is first in program history for Messiah.
Messiah senior midfielder Billie Jo Atkins headed-in the game winner in the 70th minute off a memorable throw-in from freshman Rachel Horning. Horning did a front hand-spring/somersault that allowed her to throw the ball 35-yards to the goalie box.
"I've been doing that throw since I was nine years old," Horning said. "If I just started to try the somersault now, I'd probably break my neck."
"We've scored on that play about four times this year," Falcons' head coach Scott Frey said. "It's a dangerous and exciting play because she has the ability to put it in front of the goal."
In fact, Messiah had scored on a similar play in their semifinal match against the University of Chicago.
"It wasn't a surprise. We had talked about that in our scouting report," Lions' head coach Joe Russo said. "It was nothing we didn't know."
The loss was the Lions first of 2005 bringing their final record to 22-1. Messiah finished with a 22-0-1 record. The two teams played a scoreless first half before Atkins netted the game-winner midway through the second.
The College's best scoring chance came on sophomore midfielder Dana DiBruno's shot that hit the crossbar. Messiah held a 10-8 advantage in shots. This marks the third time in program history the College earned runner-up honors.
"My hats are off to Messiah," Russo said. "They were well coached, and well prepared."
The goal was only the fourth allowed by Lions' senior goalie Alissa Kacar this season. Kacar made two saves in the loss and Falcons' junior goalie Cassie Gross made five saves. Kacar had 15 solo shutouts on the year and 32 in her brilliant career.
"I couldn't be prouder of the team, when I look back at the entire season," Kacar said. "This team is so young and has so much potential to do some great things in the future."
"I am very proud of my team, especially these two next to me (seniors Kacar and forward Brittny Boyd)," Russo said. "I could not be prouder of these kids."
For Boyd, Kacar and fellow senior forward Megan Balaisius, the loss marks the end of their careers at the College.
"They've (seniors) been the backbone of the program, because we have such a young team. They're the only ones that have been throughout it before," Russo said. "I feel bad for them because they don't get another shot at it."
"When the game was over, I was overwhelmed with emotion." Kacar said. "It was hard to hold back tears."
DiBruno, sophomore defender Courtney Krol and freshman forward Jamie Kunkel earned all-tournament honors.
Messiah freshman defender Kacie Klynstra was named Most Outstanding Player for the tournament. Klynstra led a Falcon defense that did not allow a goal in the finals or semifinals and marked Boyd, the College's three time All-American forward, in the title game.
Russo said the team has already started preparing for next season. "This one's over and you get ready for the next one," Russo said.
"I felt bad for our kids because they had played their hearts out and they were really determined and they didn't get what they deserved," Russo said. "There's nothing to hang our heads about."
The College defeated No. 13 Tufts University 3-0 in the national semifinals on Friday to reach the finals. DiBruno led the Lions with two goals, including the game-winner, and five total points. Kunkel added a goal and an assist.
"Our MO was to get a goal early on and luckily we got on the board early in the game," DiBruno said. In fact, the Lions were able to net two early goals.
DiBruno scored her first goal at 11:26 on a rebound off her own shot. Kunkel then added a score from a DiBruno pass less than two minutes later. DiBruno scored her second goal in the 73rd minute with Kunkel assisting.
With her performance against Tufts, DiBruno broke the College's single-season point record of 46. DiBruno ended the season with 48 points on 20 goals and eight assists.
(11/16/05 5:00pm)
The women's soccer team wasted no time in its quest for a national championship on Saturday, scoring two goals in the first 12 minutes en route to a 5-0 victory over Westminster College at Mercer County Community College.
The College scored all five goals in the first half, securing a place in the sectional round of the NCAA Divsion III Tournament. Senior forward Brittny Boyd scored two of the first three goals, while freshman forward Jamie Kunkel netted the game-winner.
"We know that these games are going to be the hardest games of the season and that we would need to pick up our level of play to the next level," Boyd said. "We did that tonight, and I think we played one of our best games of the season."
The College will take on the Stevens Institute of Technology in the sectional semifinals on Saturday at Mercer County Community College. The College defeated Stevens 4-0 back on Oct. 19, snapping a 14-game win streak for the Ducks.
"It doesn't matter who we play next," head coach Joe Russo said. "It is who it is, we just have to go out and win. Go out and defend and play the game."
Against Westminster, Kunkel began the scoring just 10 minutes into the game when she redirected a pass from sophomore defender Lori Adriance into the right corner of the net.
Adriance sent the ball toward Kunkel from the 40-yard line and the freshman slid to redirect the ball into a goal.
"We tried to open the game with a purpose and with a lot of energy and I think that was evident with those two great goals early on," Russo said.
With the crowd still stirring from Kunkel's goal, Boyd netted her first goal when she headed a Kristen Cubicciotti corner kick in off the crossbar just a 1:08 later.
"I should thank Kristen (Cubicciotti) for giving me a perfect cross on the corner," Boyd said. "I was just able to get up high enough and elevate over the defender and get my head on the ball."
Boyd struck again in the 28th minute, when she took a pass from sophomore midfielder forward Dana DiBruno and buried it into the net for her 14th goal of the year. DiBruno got the ball in her own territory and led Boyd with a cross-field pass. Boyd settled the ball in mid-stride and outran three Titan defenders while dribbling the ball to score. DiBruno, the team's points leader, gained possession after Lions' defender sophomore Courtney Krol and freshman Laura Delaney stopped a Titan offensive rush.
The Lions are undefeated on the year at 19-0, and remain ranked No. 2 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division III poll.
Lions' goalies senior Alissa Kacar and freshman Amy Hashem shared the team's 18th shutout of the year without facing a shot.
The goals continued for the College when Cubicciotti scored off a pass from freshman defenseman Jillian Casey in the 32nd minute. Casey dribbled through Westminster territory and sent a pass across the box to a wide-open Cubicciotti for her third goal of the season.
Freshman midfielder Erin Cunliffe rounded out the scoring with under three minutes to play in the half when she scored off a pass from sophomore midfielder Beth Avery.
"All the games are important," Boyd said. "I know that in the postseason every game could be my last, and I feel like the underclassmen realize that for the seniors. We (seniors) feel like the underclassman play that much harder for us."
On Friday, the Lions collected a plethora of post-season honors, sweeping the positional awards. Kacar was named New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Goalie of the Year. Kacar has a .935 save percentage and 13 solo-shutouts.
Krol was named NJAC Defensive Player of the Year. She helped the Lions shut out 17 of their 18 opponents this year, while also contributing three goals and four assists to the offense.
DiBruno was named NJAC Offensive Player of Year. DiBruno, the 2004 NJAC Rookie of the Year, led the Lions in points and goals, and led the conference with eight game-winning goals.
Kacar, Krol, DiBruno, Boyd and Delaney were all honored with First Team All-NJAC selections. Cubicciotti was named All-NJAC Second Team. This marked the third time Boyd received all-conference honors in her stellar career.
(11/09/05 5:00pm)
In a game full of close calls and deflections, Allie Schilling made sure her shot counted.
The freshman forward scored late in the second half to propel the women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Kean University on Friday night and win the 2005 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship.
The NJAC title is the College's 10th in 12 seasons of NJAC women's soccer. The win also clinched a birth for the Lions in the 2005 NCAA Division III Tournament.
"It felt so awesome," Schilling said about the game-winning goal. "It's definitely surreal."
Schilling took a throw-in from freshman midfielder Coleen Weber, eluded two defenders, turned and fired a shot from 30 yards out. The ball deflected off the crossbar and into the goal for her eighth - and most important - score of the season.
"I knew I was open so I yelled to throw the ball in so I could get a quick shot," Schilling said. "There weren't many opportunities all night so I felt like I had to take what was possible at that moment."
The throw-in was a result of Schilling's hustle. She chased down a loose ball, causing Kean goalie Jessica Kogel to kick the ball out of bounds. Kogel kept Kean in the game all night, making 15 saves including a spectacular diving save on a shot by the College's leading scorer junior forward Dana DiBruno.
But the Cougars did have their chances. Ten minutes into the game, forward Heather Anzivino fired a shot over Lion's senior goalie Alissa Kacar that deflected off the crossbar and back into play.
Neither team could capitalize on opportunities in a back-and-forth first half. The College's best chance came when DiBruno fired a shot with Kogel out of position, but Kean forward Rebecca Stokes made the save.
The College dominated play in the second, earning two corner kicks in the first five minutes and applying pressure on Kean the entire half.
"I think we became more relaxed in the second half and got into a better rhythm with us possessing the ball and keeping it more," head coach Joe Russo said.
"It was a fantastic game, a great win for our kids and our program, and it's always good to get that automatic bid," head coach Joe Russo said.
The Lions finish the season a perfect 18-0 and ranked No. 2 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division III poll.
"It feels great," Kacar said. "We really deserved this and our team worked so hard." Kacar earned her 13th shutout of the season despite not facing a shot on goal.
To reach the finals, the College defeated Richard Stockton College 3-0 in the NJAC tournament semifinals on Tuesday.
The Lions used a pair of first-half goals from sophomores DiBruno and Christine Mullin. It was DiBruno's team-leading 17th goal on the year and Mullin's first of the season. Schilling added a goal in the second half.
"We're just looking to advance in the tournament and move on," Russo said. "From the beginning of the year the goal is to win the NJAC, get into the tournament and to advance as far as we can."
Russo added, "The next game is always the most important." That all-important next game will come Saturday. After a first round bye in the NCAA Tournament, the Lions will host the winner of University of Westminster and the College of Notre Dame. Game time is yet to be announced.
(11/02/05 12:00pm)
The women's soccer team capped off a perfect regular season on Wednesday by defeating Kean University 2-0.
The victory raised the College's record to 16-0, 9-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
The College remained ranked No. 2 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division III poll.
"It's a great accomplishment and really a credit to the kids who have worked so hard," head coach Joe Russo said. "It's a great feeling."
The win clinched the top seed and a first round bye in the upcoming NJAC Tournament, where the winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship.
The Lions hosted Richard Stockton College last night at 7:30 p.m. in the first round of the NJAC Tournament. Results could not be included by press time.
"This (tournament) is our second season," Russo said. "All these teams are good. It's as difficult an NJAC tournament I've seen in all my years here."
Against Kean, sophomore forward Dana DiBruno tallied her team-leading 16th goal of the year to lead the Lions over the Cougars.
DiBruno scored on a pass from sophomore midfielder Kristen Cubicciotti. The goal was DiBruno's 41st point this season, leaving her five shy of the single-season points mark set by Traci Trapp in 1998.
Freshman defenseman Jillian Casey added an insurance goal in the 62nd minute off a feed from freshman midfielder Erin Cunliffe.
Senior goalie Alissa Kacar made three saves to earn her 10th solo shutout of the year; it was the team's 15th. The shutout was the 28th of Kacar's career, moving the No. 3 spot on the school list.
"(Kacar) is commanding of the box and the backline," Russo said. "She's done a great job."
The College once again dominated play, holding a 27-5 advantage in shots.
The win was the Lions' 30th straight regular season victory, dating back to last season.
On Oct. 24, senior foward Brittny Boyd's three goals led the College to a 5-0 victory at William Paterson University.
With the hat trick, Boyd collected her 100th career point, becoming only the fourth Lion in history to reach the mark.
"She's been outstanding and getting her 100th point is well deserved," Russo said. "She leads in a quiet way and works very hard. She's a great kid."
Freshmen forwards Jamie Kunkel and Jillian Casey also added goals, while DiBruno dished out three assists.
Boyd and DiBruno both scored in a 4-0 Lions' win over Stevens Institute of Technology, in their final home game on Oct. 19. Sophomore defenseman Courtney Krol netted the game winner in the 42nd minute. Freshman forward Allie Schilling also scored her sixth goal of the season.
The Lions have outscored their opponents 65-2 this season.
"That's a testament to the whole group, the back line," Russo said. "Alissa (Kacar) has been very steady and consistent the whole year."
(10/19/05 4:00pm)
Not even cold rain, soaked AstroTurf or a nine-day layoff could stop the women's soccer team from continuing their red-hot season.
The Lions won three home games this week to improve their record to a perfect 13-0 overall and 7-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). Twelve of this season's wins have come by shutout.
The Lions are now ranked No. 2 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division III poll.
The College defeated Gwynedd-Mercy College 2-0 Thursday on an alternate home field at Mercer County Community College. After a scoreless first half, sophomore midfielder Kristen Cubicciotti scored the game-winner 2:39 into the second half.
"I thought we had the better play and quite a few missed chances early on, especially in bad conditions," head coach Joe Russo said. "We eventually finished those chances."
With the Lions Stadium field in poor shape because of the rain last week, the game was moved to Mercer County Community College (MCCC) because the team is required to play at least one home game there in order to host an NCAA tournament game at that field.
Senior forward Brittny Boyd added an insurance goal, her seventh of the year, nine minutes later to put the game out of reach.
The Lions dominated the game, holding a 23-2 advantage in shots and primarily playing in the Griffins' zone the entire game.
This game marked only the fifth time the College was held to two goals or less this season. The loss dropped Gwynedd-Mercy to 5-6-1 on the year.
The College defeated Rutgers University-Newark 6-0 Wednesday night behind a hat trick by sophomore forward Dana DiBruno.
"We haven't played in a while and were excited to get back in action," DiBruno said. "We're very proud of the way we played."
DiBruno got the College on the board less than two minutes into the game when she buried a Cubicciotti cross in the net.
"We took control of the game early and made them have to chase the game so they couldn't sit in and defend," Russo said.
DiBruno continued her scoring in the second half by adding two goals only a minute apart. For the first, DiBruno took a Coleen Weber pass at the top of the box, turned and knocked it in. To complete the hat trick, DiBruno dribbled past the challenging goalie and scored.
"(DiBruno) has been playing very well," Russo said. "She had some great balls played around her and she's been consistently finishing the whole year."
The Lions' second goal came off a shot from sophomore defenseman Courtney Krol from the 40-yard line that hit the post. Sophomore defenseman Toni-Anne Cavallo slipped the rebound past a diving Katie Hastings of Rutgers-Newark.
Freshmen Kristen Triocci and Erin Cunliffe each tallied their first career goals in the second half to round out the Lions' scoring. Triocci scored off a corner kick, while Cunliffe took a Caitlin Brennan pass and deflected it into the net for the final goal.
The College dismantled New Jersey City University 12-0 on Saturday at Lions Stadium. Cunliffe tallied a hat trick and nine other Lions scored goals in the blowout. The Lions outshot NJCU 50-1.
The Lions thoroughly dominated their opponents during the home stand, playing almost all of each game in the offensive zone. They have now outscored their opponents by a 54-2 margin this season.
Senior goalie Alissa Kacar and freshman goalie Kristen Kuda shared two shutouts, with Kacar securing the other against Gwynedd-Mercy. The goalie tandem faced a total of three shots during the three-game home stand.
"We play well at home, our kids are very comfortable there," Russo said. "Hopefully we can continue to play that way."
The Lions play their final regular season home game today against the Stevens Institute of Technology at 7:30 p.m.
(10/05/05 4:00pm)
The College's men's and women's cross country teams competed in the 32nd running of the Paul Short Invitational on Saturday at Lehigh University. Stacked up against lots of Division I talent, both Lion teams posted solid performances.
"(The) race had schools from all over the east coast and from California, pretty much a lot of the Division I powerhouses," senior Jenna Fasulo said.
The women's team placed 27th out of 47 teams, while the men's team nabbed 30th place from a field of 44 teams. Georgetown University won the men's team title and Columbia University captured the women's.
The women were led by Fasulo, New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) runner-of-the-year, who finished in 83rd place overall with a time of 22:07.4. The race was won by Elizabeth Malloy of Georgetown University with a time of 20:28.
"I was satisfied with my time because I got a personal best from last year," Fasulo said. "I had hoped on finishing a little higher, but I can't complain."
Junior Kristen Pogorzelski earned 92nd place with a time of 22:11.4 and freshman Martine McGrath finished in 22:32.4, good for 127th place.
"We were pleased with our results," Fasulo said. "I think we took second place out of the Division II and III teams, but one of our rivals, Ithaca, beat us. That'll give us a little motivation for later on this season."
Seniors Kara Horner and Sarah Spilman tallied 191st and 204th finishes with times of 23:10.4 and 23:17.4 respectively. Freshman Megan O'Leary collected 247th place in 23:50.9 to round out the Lions team.
"This race was a good representation for nationals later in the year because it's a similar atmosphere," Fasulo said. "So it was nice to run in that environment and a good experience for everyone."
For the men's team, senior Matt Randal crossed the line first for the Lions in 107th place in 25:20. Senior Ryan Sheehan of St. Francis University won the men's race in 23:53.
Sophomore Brian Kopnicki and freshman Chris Guerriero collected 167th and 188th place finishes in 25:33 and 25:54 respectively. Galen Johnson earned 188th place, while Jeff Zodda followed in 189th, both with times of 26:04.
Sophomore Anthony Arnold placed 232nd with a time of 26:26. Junior Greg Howe clocked a 26:40 to secure 247th place and finish the Lions' seven man team.